ahern



Patented Aug. 9, |898. n. AHEHN.

BOAT.

(Application med Aug. 23, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I. 'F25 'I (No Model.)

WITNESSES:

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No. 608,565.I Patented Aug. 9, |898. AHERN.

BOAT.

(Application filed Aug. 23, 1897.)

(No Model.)- kalt Il I.. ILI FI I r l I I l l I I I I I l I l l l l 1 I I I 1 I I x l l I l l l l l l l I l l 0 o C o O INVENTOR www. C@ 5W @www ATTOR N EY WITNESSES:

No. 608,565. Patented Aug. 9, |898. y

n. AHERN.

' BOAT.

' (Application med Aug. 2'3, 1897.) v (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

gwlull" l WITNESSES: n mvENToR SM @iw ATTORNEY *I 'llnrrnn- Srnrns nrnnr YYDenis Amann, or

NEW YORK, N. Y.

Application filed .August 23,

T0 all whom' t may concern:

Beit known that l, DENIs A Hnnma citizen of the United States, residing Ain the city of New York, in' the county land State'of1N ew York, haveinvented a certain newrand use? ful Improvement in Boats, of whiclfthe following is a specifications; j r

This invention relates to improvements' in boats, floats, or barges, andv has forits object to provide a device having greatbuoyancy, non-sinkable, and provided withfmeans--for its propulsion and steering.H

My improved boat or barge combines the elements of safety and durability.` It is so constructed that should one portion of the hull be broken or punctured no foundering will occur. This I effect by means of watertight compartments constructed in such manner as to render all portions of the hull buoyant notwithstanding the boat should be divided longitudinally or transversely. My improved boat may be'constructed entirely of metal or may be of composite,construction, wood and metal'. The hull, however, is preferably of metal.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specication and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure lis a-front view; Fig. 2, a rear view; Fig. 3, a central longitudinal section through one of the cylinders, and Fig. t a cross-section on line 4 4 in Fig. 3. The succeeding iigures show thesame as propelledby screws. Fig. 5 is a side view, and Fig. 6a cross-section on the line 6 6 in Fig. 5.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts in all theigures where they appear. 1 y

Referring to the drawings by letters, A, A', and A2 are three metalcylinders hermetically closed at the ends and provided with a plurality of transverse partitions c, forming within said cylinders air-tight compartments a. Said partitions are secured by-means of their annular flanges a2, being held by rivets upon the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder. Each'of said compartments so formed is provided v.with a manhole and manholecover B and a hand-hole with cover b therefor. The manhole-covers B are secured by means of a plurality of bolts b', having nuts by 1897. serian). 649,110. (No man.) l

which' Ithe manhole-'plates arefirmly clamped l upouthe cylinders. The hand-hole consists of a shoulderedy plate provided with a gasket .held i'n'place bythe ordinary clamp b4. I prefer, tok-have `the nuts upon the outer surface 3f-theV cylinders, so that they may be tightened whenever, necessary without removing 'the hand-hole cover. .f

f'Ihecylinders AA A' A2 areconnected together by means of the-curved plates C, which are rivetedvto-the cylinders: at c and also to the main deck'prtion D: By this means the cylinders and the deck areheld as rigidly together as thoughformed integrally. The sides of the deck portion D adjacent to the edges are bent upwardly, forming right-angle flanges D', to which are bolted or riveted the stanchions E, supporting the upper deck F, or if it be preferred to have the space between decks inclosed a metal plate may be similarly secured. Suitable companion-ways and hatches are provided, asfwell as a railing F', for the upperdeck, all of ordinary conv"'struction. I provide a'forward end portion G, which is riveted tothe cylinders, deck, and curved plates C. Said portion is so constructed that the parts forward of each cylinder shall be upwardly curved like the prow of a smallboat and presenting a sharp edge or eut-water g. Between each eut-water and the next the connecting portion of the material is of the same curvature `as that of the plates C. A suitable stern portion H is also provided,-similarly'secured to the deck, cylinders,andcurvedzplates. The stern may, if preferred', beprovided with an overhang and isv equipped, preferably, with two rudders K K, each suitably hung in eyebolts lo or otherwise and both controlled by suitable connections from the same tiller or wheel. The rudders are preferably located rearwardly of and in line with the outer cylinders.

I provide means for propulsion which may be either paddle-wheels M orl screw-propellers N, with suitable engines for operating the same. The engines, paddle-wheels, and propellers are preferably employed in duplicate 5 but the paddle-wheels are mounted rigidly upon the same shaft M', the crank-arms M2 being preferably integral therewith. When paddle-wheels are employed, a por- IOO tion of the lower deck D and curved plates C are cut away on each side of the central cylinder A', so as to permit the engagement of the wheels with the waterbeneath. The eentral cylinder A is also flattened at the midlength to permit the rotation of the crankarms M2 and play of the piston-rods. lVhen paddle-wheels are employed, they are preferably constructed as shown in Fig. l, having two conical plates nl, with facing apeXes bolted upon hubs m of the same contou r, the hubs being preferably keyed upon the shaft M. Each of the wheels is inelosed by a water-tight casing l, provided with a door or manhole, with hatch P' therefor, preferably hinged. \Vhen propellers are used, any suitable means may be employed for journaling the shafts.

XVhen unloaded, the boat maybe ballasted by pumping water into two or more of the cyli nder-eompartments,seleeting those which, with the ballast, will cause an even displace ment of al1 parts of the boat. The peculiar curvature of the bottoni increases about forty per cent. the extent of the bearing-surface of the structure upon the water, and yet provides for the free passage of the water longitudinally of the vessel, with the propelling` devices well defended against injury.

If preferred, the paddlewvhcels may be keyed upon detachable shaft portions, which are secured to the main portion of the shaft by bolts through meeting flanges.

I claim as my invention- The combination in a water-craft, of a series of air-tight metallic cylinders, each having a plurality of transverse partitions a forming separate air-compartments, a manhole and air-tight cover for each compartment, a handhole and suitable cover for each manholecover, curved plates C riveted to and holding said cylinders parallel to each other, a horizontal deck D covering said cylinders and suitably secured thereto and to the curved plates, an upper decl; supported upon and above the deck first mentioned, shaft or shafts carrying propellers or paddle-wheels operatively mounted upon the lower deck, and separatelyforlned prow and stern portions suitably secured to the body portion of the craft, the stern portion being provided with rudders and operating-gearing therefor, substantially as herein shown and specified.

ln testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DENTS AHE N.

Witnesses:

lV. NV. Illini, M. F. Bovini. 

